The Geneva Forum and Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit are pleased to invite you to a lunchtime seminar on “Synthetic Biology: Engineering a Safer Future”.

This ongoing collaboration brings you a series of interesting events on the very cutting edge of modern biology. In 2008, BWC participants were introduced to the concepts of synthetic biology (or biological engineering). Last year, the benefits for our societies from modern biology were explored. Our third event will introduce you to the non-security challenges raised by synthetic biology and illustrate how they are being dealt with.

During the event, we will hear presentations from Jane Calvert, academic fellow of the Innogen Centre for Social and Economic Research on Innovation in Genomics, Markus Schmidt, co-founder of International Dialogue and Conflict Management, as well as from Eleonore Pauwels, a visiting scholar with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

The seminar will also allow time for questions and comments, offering a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas. We hope you will be able to join us for what promises to be a stimulating and informative discussion.

This initiative aims to contribute to the 2011 review of relevant scientific and technological advances, as well as showcase how security and scientific communities can work together for mutual benefit.

To register, please simply reply to this email with your full contact details (silvia.cattaneo@graduateinstitute.ch), mentioning if you need a pass to enter the UN building. We also encourage you to share this invitation with any colleagues who may be interested.